In the upcoming episode of So Help Me Todd, titled “Dial Margaret for Murder,” Skylar Astin’s character, Todd, finds himself in a thrilling, Rear Window-esque scenario. While recovering from an emergency appendectomy in the hospital, Todd becomes convinced he overheard a plot to murder someone. His hospital roommate, a grizzled private investigator played by Dean Winters, adds to the intrigue. Meanwhile, Todd’s mother, Margaret (Marcia Gay Harden), jumps into the investigative fray herself, bringing along her clients for the ride.
Astin shared insights into the episode, describing Todd’s hospital stay as both humorous and dramatic. “Todd starts the episode with a minor pain that quickly escalates into severe discomfort, leading to an emergency appendectomy. Allison (Madeline Wise) rolls him into the hospital in a hilarious sequence where Todd laments, ‘You chose coffee over my life, Allison!’”
Todd’s hospital room antics mirror the classic Rear Window plot, with him trying to convince those around him of a murder plot while sedated and barely conscious. Astin noted that the episode pays homage to the Hitchcock film’s theme, as Todd must operate from his hospital bed, making his deductions through phone conversations and his own observations.
The episode features Dean Winters as Dick Franks, a seasoned PI who has great chemistry with Astin. “We clicked right away. Our rehearsals showed immediate chemistry, which really informed our scenes together,” Astin said. Dick Franks’ mentorship influences Todd’s career trajectory, encouraging him to adopt a solitary, rugged approach to private investigation.
Astin also touched on the evolving dynamics between Todd and Margaret this season. “Their relationship has grown significantly from the pilot. Todd now sees himself as more of an equal partner, balancing his own detective agency with his work for Margaret’s firm.”
On the topic of Todd’s personal space, Astin joked about his character’s modest “office” setup. “Todd’s office is essentially a nook, but he sees it as a small victory. The goal is for him to eventually have a more official setup,” he explained.
The season also explores Todd’s relationship with his sister Allison, with new dynamics bringing comedic moments. “There’s a role reversal in their relationship now that Todd has his own place and Allison is crashing on his couch. It’s provided great comedic material and depth to their sibling bond.”
As for Todd’s romantic prospects, Astin hinted at developments with Judy, played by Heather Morris. “Todd’s ‘lone wolf’ mentality makes romance a tricky fit, but there’s plenty of fun to be had with Judy and Todd’s interactions. Whether they end up as a team, friends, or something more is still to be seen.”
Regarding Todd’s ex, Susan (Inga Schlingmann), Astin acknowledged the complexity of their ongoing working relationship. “Despite their past, Todd respects Susan’s current monogamous relationship. We’ll see how their dynamic evolves, but for now, they remain professional colleagues with a complicated history.”
Fans can look forward to a season filled with intrigue, humor, and evolving relationships, all driven by Todd’s unique investigative style and the strong family dynamics at play.
